African-American kids are three times more likely to drown than caucasian kids.

Yes, there is race discrepancy when it comes swimming, and it is vast. Seventy percent of African-American and sixty percent of Hispanic/Latino kids cannot swim, which is why swim centers, like NYC's Asphalt Green, offer waterproofing classes — for free. The scholarship-based programs offer kids — regardless of their socioeconomic status — opportunities to learn how to swim throughout the year.